Dundalk vs Derry City by Luke

Dundalk actually had a pretty easy game last Friday evening when the team visited Limerick and won with a 3:0 result. The fact that the home team stood playing with a man less already in eighteenth minute when their goalkeeper got red carded for handling the ball outside of the box and the game became much more easier for them.

Moreover, they were awarded with a penalty kick ten minutes later as McMillan brought the visiting side into the lead, while the same player doubled up their lead in 37th minute. Even then the game actually looked as finished one, while the third goal came couple of minutes before the full time whistle via Gannon. Players of Dundalk are now second at the table, having thirteen points less than leaders from Cork and if they are to close the gap, the team can't afford to drop points here. Manager Stephen Kenny won't be counting at left back Shane Grimes (no performance anyway so far).

Derry City, on the other side, improved a lot, especially when talking about their offensive power last Friday evening, as the team won over Shamrock Rovers 3:1 at home in one of their better performances in last few weeks. They entered the match great, took the lead in fifth minute already via McEnuff, while Burke leveled up the result in 21st minute.

It was one of the most interesting matches of the round and one of more open, as the hosts took the lead again in the first halftime, via McNamee in 45th minute. Towards the end of the match, in third minute of additional time they managed to score one again - from a penalty kick taken by McEnuff. It was their seventh consecutive game without defeat, but with a lot of draws involved, as the team now stands at fourth position having four points less than Dundalk and can't afford to lose here. Central defender Aaron Barry (12/1) should be out here due injury.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 19 of Dundalk's last 22 games.

Dundalk is a favorite here, but in my opinion, not as big as the odds suggest. Derry City has improved offensively in last match and generally isn't looking that bad, if they repeat anything close to the previous game - this one should easily end up with both teams scoring at least once.